Furnaces: Reviews

Experts recommend 90% furnaces for most homes. A 90% or 92% AFUE furnace has enough efficiency to merit state or utility energy conservation rebates in many states, even though initial costs can be $1,000 more than an 80%… furnace. A 90% furnace wastes about 10% less heat, and therefore is cheaper to operate. HVAC experts say the difference between an 80% furnace and a 90% furnace is greater than the difference between a 90% furnace and an ultra-high efficiency 92% to 96% furnace. American Standard/Trane and Rheem/Ruud have generally been the most reliable brands, according to surveys and technicians, but experts say contractor choice is a more important consideration than brand.

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If you can afford one, experts and homeowners alike agree that multi-stage furnaces produce the greatest level of comfort. While conventional furnaces cycle on and off, two and three-stage furnaces use variable-speed… blowers to maintain a nearly constant temperature. They are a little cheaper to operate, but experts say you won't necessarily break even on the purchase cost. As an example, the Rheem Prestige Series has a modulating burner with a heat output range from 40% to 100% in 5% increments. This reduces wear and tear on the motor and increases efficiency, lowering operating costs. Experts also recommend models from Trane, Bryant/Carrier, Lennox, Tempstar and York.

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If you live in a milder climate or do not plan to stay in your home for at least five years (to recoup the cost of a high-efficiency furnace), experts say you should consider a less efficient (and less expensive) 80%… furnace. While 90% to 97% AFUE furnaces waste much less heat, experts say an 80% AFUE gas furnace is likely to be considerably more efficient than the unit you're replacing (if it had an average lifespan, it is most likely a 60% AFUE furnace). You can save up to a thousand dollars with an 80% furnace, but your monthly energy costs will be higher. The break-even period on a more efficient furnace will depend on your gas rates and how much the rates increase over time.

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Oil-burning furnaces can't achieve the super-high AFUE rates of gas furnaces, but the buying considerations are basically the same. Experts say that people don't choose between gas and oil; oil is the best choice if gas… is not possible. The Peerless Pinnacle, Burnham Hydronics MPO series and Crown Boiler Freeport series all have AFUEs of at least 87% and lifetime warranties on heat exchangers. A sealed vent has several advantages. They don't vent through the chimney and have quieter operation. As with gas furnaces, two-stage and modulating furnaces provide more consistent temperatures.

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